Common Field Grasshopper vs Common Flat-body

Chorthippus brunneus compared with Agonopterix heracliana

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Field Grasshopper	Common Flat-body
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Orthoptera (Orthoptera)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Acrididae	Depressariidae
Genus	Chorthippus	Agonopterix
Species	Chorthippus brunneus	Agonopterix heracliana

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Field Grasshopper and Common Flat-body share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Common Field Grasshopper

LC — Least Concern

Common Flat-body

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Field Grasshopper	Common Flat-body
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Field Grasshopper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Flat-body

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Field Grasshopper

The Common Field Grasshopper (<em>Chorthippus brunneus</em>) is an orthopteran insect belonging to the genus Chorthippus within the family Acrididae. It is one of the most frequently encountered grasshoppers in northern and western Europe, typically inhabiting dry, open areas such as grasslands, heathlands, roadsides, and disturbed ground. The species is often found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats across its range. Geographically, <em>Chorthippus brunneus</em> is distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden, among other European countries. The species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Adults are typically brown to grey in colouration with variable patterning, and males often produce a distinctive short, chirping song used in courtship. As a herbivore, this grasshopper typically feeds on grasses and other low-growing vegetation. Biological traits including average lifespan and body dimensions remain poorly documented in the scientific literature, though adults in temperate regions typically appear from mid-summer through autumn.

Common Flat-body

<em>Agonopterix heracliana</em> is a moth belonging to the family Depressariidae within the order Lepidoptera. Commonly known as the common flat-body, this species is named for the flattened resting posture characteristic of the genus Agonopterix. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with no indication of significant population decline. <em>Agonopterix heracliana</em> is distributed across northwestern Europe, with documented occurrences in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Larvae of this species are typically associated with plants in the family Apiaceae, particularly hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and related umbellifers, upon which they feed while sheltering in rolled or folded leaves. Adults are typically brownish with subtle markings and are active from late summer through winter and early spring, overwintering as adults — an unusual life history trait among moths. The species inhabits hedgerows, woodland margins, and meadows where its host plants are abundant. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden